Dispensing and handling rack system for flexible food and beverage holder

Abstract

A dispensing and handling system for dispensing, loading and/or handling food and/or beverage carriers having a flexible sheet. The system can include a rack member for storing a plurality of carriers and one or more support members for securing a single carrier in a position for loading beverage containers and/or food into the carrier. Additional support members can be provided for temporarily supporting the carrier after it is loaded with beverage containers and/or food to enable a consumer to treat the contents of the carrier or attend to other tasks once the carrier is loaded.

1 . A dispensing system for dispensing and supporting an associated carrier for loading, said carrier including at least one flexible sheet having therein an aperture for receiving a tapered container and a plurality of handles, the dispensing system comprising:
 at least one carrier rack member for supporting at least one associated carrier in a dispensing position, the carrier support including a protrusion adapted to extend through the aperture in the associated carrier for retaining the at least one associated carrier on the carrier support when the carrier is in a dispensing position; and   a first carrier support including a hook member in spaced relation to the carrier rack member, the hook member adapted to engage a handle of an associated carrier when the carrier is placed in a loading position such that the aperture in the carrier is adjacent a loading surface for loading the tapered container.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing system set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hook member includes a distal hook and a proximal detent, the distal hook and proximal detent cooperating to separate respective panels of a multi-panel carrier for loading. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the hook member is supported by a support arm connected to the carrier rack member, and wherein the proximal detent includes a ridge between distal hook and the support arm. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first carrier support includes a support arm connected to the carrier rack member, the support arm including a stud received in a corresponding tube of the rack member. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the carrier rack member includes a plurality of tubes positioned at various locations, whereby the support arm can be received in a tube at more than one of the various locations. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier support is rotatable relative to the rack member. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one retention tab adapted to retain the at least one associated carrier on the protrusion of the rack member. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the retention tab includes a flexible extension extending beyond an opening of the associated carrier when the carrier is in a dispensing position. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rack member includes a base portion and a carrier support portion extending upwardly from the base portion. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the base portion and carrier support portion are formed from a continuous metal rod. 
     
     
         11 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second carrier support for supporting an associated carrier in an elevated position. 
     
     
         12 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the second carrier support is located at a height above the first carrier support, said second carrier support configured to support an associated carrier loaded with one or more beverage containers above an adjacent surface such that the one or more beverage containers are elevated above said adjacent surface. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hook member is pivotable between a first position for engaging an opening in an associated carrier when said carrier is dispensed from the dispensing rack, and a second position for supporting said carrier in a loading position after being dispensed. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing system as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the hook member is biased towards the first position. 
     
     
         15 . A carrier support for supporting an associated carrier for loading, said carrier including at least one flexible sheet having therein an aperture for receiving a tapered container and a plurality of handles, the carrier support comprising:
 a base portion;   a carrier support portion extending upwardly from said base portion; and   at least one hook member extending from and supported by the carrier support portion, the hook member adapted to engage an opening of an associated carrier;   wherein the hook member includes a hook at a distal end thereof and a detent located between the hook and the carrier support portion, the hook and detent cooperating to separate respective panels of an associated multi-panel carrier for loading.   
     
     
         16 . The carrier support as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the carrier support includes an attachment mechanism for securing the carrier to a rack member having a support for supporting a plurality of carriers. 
     
     
         17 . The carrier support as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the attachment mechanism is adapted to pivotably secure the carrier support to the rack member. 
     
     
         18 . The carrier support of  claim 15 , wherein the carrier support includes a shelf. 
     
     
         19 . The carrier support of  claim 16 , wherein the rack member includes a shelf. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for dispensing and loading of a carrier having at least one flexible sheet having therein an aperture for receiving a tapered container and a plurality of handles, the system comprising:
 at least one carrier rack member for supporting at least one associated carrier in a dispensing position, the carrier support including a protrusion adapted to extend through the aperture in the associated carrier for retaining the at least one associated carrier on the carrier support when the carrier is in a dispensing position;   a carrier support including a hook member in spaced relation to the carrier rack member, the hook member adapted to engage a handle of an associated carrier when the carrier is placed in a loading position such that the aperture in the carrier is adjacent a loading surface for loading the tapered container; and   a plurality of carriers.   
     
     
         22 . A system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of carriers includes:
 at least one flexible sheet formed of at least one layer of a polymeric material;   at least one aperture provided in the sheet for receiving a tapered container; and   a plurality of handle members, wherein a tapered container is selectively positioned at the site of the aperture and the sheet is folded about the container to a position wherein the handle members are joined for grasping by at least one finger or portion of a users hand and the container is engaged by the aperture at a position at or above the center of gravity of the container to allow carrying of the container upon lifting of the sheet folded thereabout.